Designing with Love
What does it take to design learning experiences that truly work? Join Jackie Pelegrin, award-winning instructional designer and Grand Canyon University (GCU) adjunct instructor, as she explores instructional design, e-learning, and AI integration. Expect actionable tips, real-world insights, and conversations with students, alumni, and industry leaders shaping the future of learning.
Designing with Love
Designing with love, purpose, and heart.
This show explores instructional design, e-learning, and how to incorporate AI technology into different aspects of the field.
Tune in for expert tips, real-world insights, and inspiring stories from students, alumni, and leaders in the field.
New to Designing with Love?
131
July 8, 2026
Myth: Online Learning Is Less Effective Than In-Person
The fastest way to kill a good learning goal is to blame the format instead of fixing the design. We’re kicking off a new series on myths in instructional design and education by taking on one of the biggest, most stubborn claims out there: online learning is less effective than in-person learning. We get why this belief sticks. A lot of digital learning has felt disconnected, confusing, passive, or overwhelming, especially when people experienced emergency remote teaching that was rushed and u
133
July 15, 2026
Myth: Accessibility Is Optional If Your Learners Don't Request It
The fastest way to lock learners out of your course is to wait for them to ask for access. We’re tackling a stubborn myth in instructional design and education: “Accessibility is optional if learners don’t request it.” It sounds reasonable on paper because many organizations have formal accommodation processes, but it breaks down in real life when learners don’t feel safe disclosing, don’t have documentation, or don’t even know what to ask for until they’re already struggling. We unpack why thi
135
July 22, 2026
Myth: Technology Automatically Improves Learning
A shiny new tool can feel like instant progress, but what if it quietly makes your course harder to learn? Jackie is tackling one of the most stubborn myths in instructional design and education: the idea that technology automatically improves learning. Whether you’re rolling out a new LMS, testing an AI content creation tool, or adding interactive features to eLearning, the real question isn’t “Is it modern?” It’s “Does it help learners do something meaningful?” Jackie breaks down why this bel
Recent Episodes
143
Aug. 19, 2026
Myth: Assessments Must Be Tests to Be Valid
A quiz can be quick, clean, and easy to score, but does it actually prove learning? We take on a stubborn myth in instructional design and education: that assessments must be tests to be valid. In this episode, Jackie explains why tests are so often treated as the gold standard, from the comfort of “objectivity” to the pressure for efficiency in schools, certification programs, and workplace training. Then we make the real shift: valid assessment is about the quality of evidence, not the format
142
Aug. 16, 2026
A Master’s Program Can Reveal Your Instructional Design Path With Naomi Allen
You can feel the moment when a career finally makes sense: you read a course list, something clicks, and you realize there’s a name for the work you’ve wanted to do all along. That’s the energy behind Jackie's conversation with Naomi Allen, who recently completed her master’s in instructional design at Grand Canyon University after starting down a very different path in clinical mental health counseling. We dig into what pulled her toward instructional design and learning and development, espec
141
Aug. 12, 2026
Myth: More Content Means More Learning
More slides do not equal more learning, and if you have ever felt pressured to “add just one more resource,” you already know how quickly a course can turn into a content dump. We take on a stubborn instructional design myth: the idea that piling on readings, videos, examples, and links automatically improves understanding. It sounds responsible, but it often creates confusion, weak retention, and low transfer because learners cannot see what matters most. We dig into why this belief sticks aro
140
Aug. 9, 2026
Human-Governed AI for Learning Design With James Gilchrist
AI can hand you a polished outline, a full course draft, and a dozen “best practice” scenarios in seconds. The hard part is deciding whether any of it is worth a learner’s time. Jackie sat down with James Gildrist, founder of Lighthouse L&D Consulting, to talk about the real work behind AI in learning and development: protecting meaning, judgment, and instructional quality when speed is the loudest promise in the room. James brings a simple, memorable framework from his iSpring Days 2026 sessio
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Recent Blog Posts
Aug. 19, 2026
Assessments Must Be More Than Tests: Rethinking Validity in Instructional Design
In the world of education, assessments are often synonymous with tests, leading to the myth that valid assessments must be tests. This belief not only limits our understanding of assessment but also potentially undermines our educational goals. In t…
Aug. 16, 2026
How to Transition from Counseling to Instructional Design: Insights from Naomi Allen
As professionals in education and instructional design, we often find ourselves at a crossroads, considering new paths that align more closely with our passions and skills. In this blog post, we explore the inspiring journey of Naomi Allen, who tran…
Aug. 12, 2026
More Content Does Not Equal More Learning: Challenging a Common Myth in Instructional Design
In the world of instructional design and education, a common belief persists: the more content we provide, the more learning occurs. This myth can lead educators to overload their learners with resources, believing that an abundance of information w…
About the Host
Jackie Pelegrin
Award-Winning Instructional Designer, College Professor, Consultant, and Podcast Host
Jackie, an Arizona native, leverages decades of experience as an award-winning instructional designer within both higher education and the corporate world. She holds an MBA and a Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology, both acquired through online learning. In addition to her full-time role, Jackie serves as an award-winning adjunct instructor, teaching online courses at Grand Canyon University. During her leisure time, she delights in reading books across a range of genres, enjoying movies and TV shows, playing games, listening to uplifting music, and spending quality time with her family and friends.